Microsoft and Yahoo challenge Google: Bing it on
Microsoft finally persuaded Yahoo to surrender control of the Internet's second most popular search engine and join it in a daunting battle — taking on the overwhelming dominance of Google in the online advertising market.

Review: Yahoo's shift to Bing could be risky bet
Is Microsoft's Bing really a better search engine? Since it debuted last month, it has earned praise for the smart way it presents results and how it lets users preview Web sites without clicking through to them.

Yahoo comes full circle with retreat from search
Yahoo Inc. invested billions of dollars in its Internet search engine during the past six years before realizing it made more sense to entrust the job to an outsider — hearkening back to a conclusion the company's co-founders reached shortly after they started their Web directory in the mid-1990s.

Man gets 99 years for crack
A Lubbock County jury on Wednesday sentenced Darron T. Moore to 99 years in prison for possessing nearly 20 grams of crack cocaine in 2006 in a Lubbock motel.

Judge hears pleas in drug bust cases
A federal judge on Wednesday accepted five more pleas of not guilty at a group arraignment hearing for another batch of defendants arrested in the Hockley County drug bust earlier this month.

One nabbed, two sought in burglary
Two TV burglars got away after an officer arrested one of their suspected accomplices early Wednesday morning, according to a police report.

Quick opinion
We salute U.S. Army commanders at Fort Hood for implementing a program to help reduce soldier suicides. "If we're going to continue to ask soldiers to go on repeated combat tours, we've got to give them the tools to deal with the challenges they're going to face," said Gen. George W. Casey Jr., U.S. Army chief of staff.

Quick opinion
We're encouraged by a new Texas Transportation Institute study revealing fatal crashes involving teenage drivers are declining faster in Texas than in most other states. Much of the credit goes to the state's graduated driver's license law coupled with peer education programs. For more information, visit www.t-driver.com

Entertainment briefs
Drama staged at Firehouse
Theatre Aug. 14-15
“Some Girls,” an often uncomfortable drama by Neil LaBute, will be staged as a Hub Theatre Group production at 8 p.m. Aug. 14-15 in the Firehouse Theatre at the Underwood Center, 511 Ave. K.

Tanning beds rated as new cancer risk
LONDON - International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category deeming both to be definite causes of cancer.

Panel states top
need for swine flu vaccinations
ATLANTA - Pregnant women, health care workers and children six months and older should be placed at the front of the line for swine flu vaccinations this fall, a government panel recommended Wednesday.

Chance of more showers and thunderstorms in Lubbock
Lubbock likely won’t get a severe storm as the threat is higher north and northeast of Lubbock, a weather service official said. Storm activity is expected to be isolated throughout the region, but a few of the thunderstorms could become severe with large hail and damaging winds.

Judge hears pleas in drug bust cases
A federal judge on Wednesday accepted five more pleas of not guilty at a group arraignment hearing for another batch of defendants arrested in the Hockley County drug bust earlier this month.

News briefs
Last chance to win concert tickets
You can win two front-row tickets to the Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson concert, on Aug. 8 at Jones AT&T Stadium if you come up with best song title in a unique Avalanche-Journal contest.

News briefs
The Texas Attorney General’s office is warning consumers to beware of Web sites that offer to register people for the federal “Cash for Clunkers” program.

Man gets 99 years for crack
A Lubbock County jury on Wednesday sentenced Darron T. Moore to 99 years in prison for possessing nearly 20 grams of crack cocaine in 2006 in a Lubbock motel.

LISD, other area districts have most teaching positions filled
When the first day of school rolls around next month, some parents may find it challenging to get their children out of bed and into schools. As Rafael Madrid can tell you, getting all of the teachers into the classrooms also can be quite challenging.

One nabbed, two sought in burglary
Two TV burglars got away after an officer arrested one of their suspected accomplices early Wednesday morning, according to a police report.

Jackson physician's home, office searched
LAS VEGAS - Federal agents searched the home and office of Michael Jackson's personal physician Tuesday in a widening investigation of whether administering a powerful anesthetic as a sleep aid was so reckless that it constitutes manslaughter.

Health care plan aims at Medicare
WASHINGTON - A bipartisan group of senators agreed tentatively Tuesday on a plan to squeeze an additional $35 billion out of Medicare over the next decade and larger sums in the years beyond, according to congressional officials, a step toward fulfilling President Barack Obama's goal of curbing the growth of health care spending.

Federal agents arrest more than 30 in Medicare fraud
MIAMI (AP) - Federal authorities arrested more than 30 suspects, including doctors, and were seeking others in a major Medicare fraud bust Wednesday in New York, Louisiana, Boston and Houston, targeting scams such as "arthritis kits" - expensive braces that many patients never used.

Panel votes to outlaw business pay packages
WASHINGTON - A House panel voted Tuesday to prohibit large financial firms from offering corporate pay packages that encourage executives to take big risks, going further than what President Barack Obama wanted to curb excessive salaries and bonuses on Wall Street.

House passes act to ensure federal programs stay afloat
WASHINGTON (AP) - The House took emergency steps Wednesday to keep vital federal programs from going broke while Congress is absent next month, removing the threat that people would lose their unemployment checks or chances to get a low-interest housing loan while lawmakers are on vacation.

Ex-Buffalo Soldiers given military honors, reburied
SANTA FE, N.M. - Three members of the famed Civil War-era Buffalo Soldiers, whose remains were disinterred during a federal grave-looting investigation two years ago, were given full military honors and reburied Tuesday at a national cemetery.

Texting while driving even more dangerous
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Texting while driving increases the risk of a crash much more than previous studies have concluded with motorists taking their eyes off the road longer than they do when talking or listening on their cell phones, a safety research institute said Monday.

Report urges government to redefine poverty level
NEW YORK - Serious shortcomings in national data, including an outdated federal measure of household poverty, are undermining the task of identifying and assisting America's most vulnerable children, according to a report issued Tuesday.

Death NoticesDavid Oscar Adams, 65, of Snyder died July 28, 2009, at the Carillon House in Lubbock. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at the Bell-Cypert-Seale Chapel. Bell-Cypert-Seale Funeral Home of Snyder.

Bennie Burton Shaw
Funeral services for Bennie Burton Shaw, 79, of Levelland and formerly of Sundown, will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2009 at First Baptist Church of Sundown with Rev. Randy Winfrey officiating. Burial will follow in the Sundown Cemetery under the direction of George Price Funeral Home. He died on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at Covenant Hospital in Levelland.

Carl Franklin Tree, Jr.
Carl Franklin Tree, Jr., 76, resident of Atoka, Okla. for the past two years, and previously living in Texas and Colorado, passed away on July 25, 2009 in the Atoka Memorial Hospital.

Bobby L. Thomas
Memorial services for Bobby L. Thomas, beloved mother and grandmother, 53, of Shallowater will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 2 p.m. in Sanders Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, July 31, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Tommy Crawford
Tommy Crawford, of Lubbock, departed this life on July 26, 2009 at the age of 58 years. He was born on February 14, 1951 in Upland, Calif. to Roy G. and Juanita R. (Spivey) Crawford. Tommy graduated high school in Plains and was a truck driver until his retirement.

Joe Dewitt Bailey
Memorial services for Joe D. Bailey, 88, of Lubbock and formerly of Hart, will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church in Hart. Joe went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 29, 2009.

Ike Bennett
Ike passed from this world into God's eternal love and mercy on Sunday, July 26, 2009 at the age of 84.

John Flores
Funeral services for John Flores, 53, of Lubbock will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with Father Martin Piña officiating. Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. this evening at Guajardo Funeral Chapels. Burial will be at City of Lubbock Cemetery under the direction of Guajardo Funeral Chapels.

C. Ralph Blodgett
Services for C. Ralph Blodgett, 88, of Spearman will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2009 at First Christian Church with Rev. Beverly Cook officiating. Burial will follow in Hansford Cemetery under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Spearman. He died on July 28, 2009.

Marilyn T. Martin Hatchett
Marilyn T. Martin Hatchett "Frog", 44 of Lubbock departed this earth to be with her Lord on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at the Lubbock Heart Hospital with her loving husband, Joe Hatchett, of 22 years by her side.

David Neil Holland
David Neil Holland, 63, passed away on July 7, 2009 at his home in Lubbock with his faithful dog, Puppy, by his side. David, the fourth of five sons, was born to Jeanette and Avery Holland on December 6, 1945 in Columbus, Kan. He moved to Topeka, Kan. when he was 6, and lived there until he joined the Marine Corps at age 17. He served two full tours in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart.

Billy Joe Johnson
Billy Joe Johnson, 64, of Lubbock passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2009 at the V.A. Hospital in Amarillo. He was born on November 3, 1945 to the late Herman and Velma Pearl Thomas Johnson. He was a veteran and served in the Vietnam War.

Barbara Joan Buescher
Barbara Joan Buescher, 75, of Lubbock passed away peacefully on July 28, 2009 at her home. Rosary services will be at 7 p.m. this evening in the W.W. Rix Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2009 in the Christ the King Cathedral. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

Richard Earl Johnson
Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers will host a gathering for the family and friends of Richard Earl Johnson to celebrate his 61 years of life from 6 to 7:30 p.m. this evening at the funeral home, 82nd Street and Iola Avenue. Celebration services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2009 in Lake Ridge Chapel. Rick died on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at his residence, surrounded by his family.

Richard Johnson
Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers will host a gathering for the family and friends of Richard Johnson to celebrate his 61 years of life from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at the funeral home, 82nd St. and Iola Ave.

Carolyn Kay Pruitt
Services for Carolyn Kay Pruitt, 67, of Lubbock will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2009 in the Emma Church of Christ with Tim Mills officiating. Burial will follow in the City of Lubbock Cemetery under the direction of Adams Funeral Home of Ralls.

Katherine McDonald
Katherine McDonald, 94, of Lubbock died Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at Grace Medical Center. Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 31, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. with the Reverend Randy Bartley officiating.

John Charles Russell
John Charles Russell, 57, born on February 10, 1952 in Knox City, passed away on July 27, 2009 at his home in Flower Mound. John was a member of the North Texas Harley Owners Group.

LaVanche Smead
Memorial services for LaVanche Smead, 94, of Lubbock will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2009 in Resthaven's Mausoleum Chapel. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park. Mrs. Smead passed away on Friday, July 24, 2009.

Tech looks to ride momentum from a year ago into 2009
DALLAS - Someone asked Mike Leach on Wednesday whether, with so much discussion late last season centering on Oklahoma and Texas, if Texas Tech's finishing in a three-way tie for the Big 12 South Division championship got lost in the shuffle.

Quarterback Griffin shoulders Baylor hopes
DALLAS - Mired in a decade-plus streak of losing seasons, Baylor's football program finally showed some signs of life last season, shortly after Art Briles took over as head coach. But the winning must come before the fan following - only 34,000 per home game, well below capacity, showed up to watch.

Cowboys' injured coach's spirit unbroken
SAN ANTONIO - Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis still wears a neck brace and has to sleep sitting up in a chair. Yet he refuses to let the broken neck he suffered when the team's practice facility collapsed keep him from doing his job.

Remorseful Burress testifies before grand jury
NEW YORK - Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress testified Wednesday before the grand jury that is investigating weapons charges against him and told reporters outside that he was sorry for his actions.

Oswalt hurt, but Houston offense takes over for win
CHICAGO - Geoff Blum hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning and Miguel Tejada connected and had a season-high five RBIs, helping the Houston Astros overcome an injury to ace Roy Oswalt for an 11-6 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.

Woods says his family, career
totally separate
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Tiger Woods posed for a lot of pictures during the Buick Open pro-am, but he took special care for the photo with 2-year-old Reggie Livingston at the sixth hole.

Mom accused of killing son said devil told her to
SAN ANTONIO - A Texas mother accused of decapitating her 31/2-week-old son screamed "I didn't mean to do it. He told me to" while her sister pleaded for an ambulance to bring help in a desperate four-minute 911 call released Wednesday.

Warning signs missed in dismemberment case
SAN ANTONIO - The warning signs were there. Otty Sanchez, a schizophrenic with a history of hospitalizations, wasn't taking medication and was depressed after her son's birth, the boy's father said. A simple request seemed to set her off, alarming him and his family.

Combat brigade may be withdrawn early
ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT - A combat brigade of 5,000 American troops may be brought home early from Iraq if an emerging trend of reduced violence holds, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday.

Mideast concerns date to 1950s
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - President Dwight D. Eisenhower grappled with topics like relations with Iran and stability in Iraq during an era that was far more complex than thought, newly declassified documents show.